Finding the Right Product Data Management Software for Your Company

If you work with complex product development processes that involve multiple tools, regions, and players, you should invest in product data management. With so many diverse components included in any given project, it is essential that you have unified software to manage it all in.

As we will explain in the sections below, having a PDM system is becoming a global standard in the industry. If your business wants to stay on top of the field, you should definitely get on board today.

What is product data management software?

Let’s start by defining exactly what product data management software is. PDM software is software that helps organizations working together on common projects connect with each other and communicate important information through a central portal. One of the best examples on the market is Openbom, and we will explain software features below.

Engineers spend a great deal of time creating and refining designs. And they often work together across distances to collaborate on different aspects of simulation and verification. Without PDM software, a great deal of confusion can build up in many areas of project development with overlapping models, communication issues, etc.

Benefits of product data management software

Let’s take a look at the specific benefits that companies can gain from using product data management (PDM) software.

• It gives engineers more time to focus on the larger picture. Engineers are valuable, and while it is important that they come up with the right designs, they shouldn’t be forced to waste untold amounts of time tinkering with them unnecessarily. With PDM software, everything is kept in a central portal and versions can be labeled and stored appropriately.
• To keep everyone on the same page, it enables businesses to handle change orders, create bills of materials, and carry out other detailed tasks.
• In combination with parametric 3D CAD, innovations can more quickly make their way to market thanks to the software’s ability to bring designs fully to life on screen.
• Reduced possibility for error. For engineers working together on common projects, it is essential that they receive updated information in as close to real-time as possible. This leads to greater project agility.
• Greater productivity. When engineers know they have a central place to find the information they need, this allows them to replace, duplicate, or reuse models as necessary for their purposes with full-scale product lifecycle management.

And the numbers prove it. Research has shown that companies with high-quality PDM systems are exponentially more efficient in their output. The market is set to double to more than $5 billion by 2031.

Data Management

How is PDM software applied?

The biggest question that potential users likely have is what exactly you can do with the software. PDM software serves many different purposes, including:

• Parametric modeling. It refers to a modeling technique in which users have the ability to change model shapes whenever dimension values change and vice versa. With PDM software, you have much-increased agility in your ability to alter designs and assess them according to different criteria.
• Design automation. Engineers often need to duplicate previous designs or parts of designs, and also need to create designs automatically with systems programmed to understand specific criteria. PDM software allows users to do this at the highest level and throughout the product lifecycle.
• Bill of materials management. Bills of materials can be lengthy and complicated, and they can be notoriously difficult for companies to manage. PDM software allows you to automate product data that is contained in a central system so that everyone involved can access accurate real-time information and use it appropriately.
• Machine design. Every company wants to make the process of taking designs from prototypes to finished products faster. When you combine PDM software with CAD tools and CAD data, you have the perfect recipe for design success. The ability to respond quickly to stakeholder comments can help you reduce risk and set projects on a fast track for success.
• Improved and more innovative product design. The ability to have product designs in a central place that is visible and manageable by different stakeholders can be an excellent opportunity for visual brainstorming. Users can create prototypes, improve upon them, and conduct market tests to assess viability.
• Seamless change management. Engineering projects often involve a high number of change orders. With the correct PDM software, you can keep control over design, recordkeeping, and lifecycle management modifications.
• Improved data quality. Not only does PDM software allow you to increase the amount of product related data that you and your team have exposure to, but you get better quality data. All of your CAD tools – be they Creo, SolidWorks, Inventor, or others – will be utilized together in a centralized place. This will ensure that information is complete and correct. This allows you to create a strong product data management plan.
• Greater ability to manipulate documents online. Thanks to the advancement of online tools, virtually every aspect of the document creation and maintenance process can now be made virtual. This includes adding electronic signatures, centrally controlling printing, creating watermarks, and other features. All of this is possible with the tight product data management PDM software.
• Improved IP protection. PDM software gives you full control over who can access your data, for both internal and external users. When you add specific security labels to your projects, you will be able to include temporary participants in the protocols.

Get on board now to save work in the future

The sooner you invest in a project data management system, the faster you and your team will start moving forward at a whole new pace in managing product data. PDM software will make all your business processes easier, more efficient, and more productive. Furthermore, it will allow your team of engineers to brainstorm new ideas much more effectively. And this is where progress in engineering really comes from. So start looking for a program today and watch your company soar.

FAQ

• Does a company have to be a particular size to use PDM software?

No, the software works for companies of all sizes, from small to enterprise resource planning level.

• Is it possible to preserve original design copies even if they have been changed?

Yes. as long as you save and label designs appropriately you can make and save as many as you want.

• My company’s needs are complex, and we need to compare designs side-by-side and see how they work together. Is this possible with PDM software?

If you invest in the right level of software, you can achieve high degrees of sophistication. Be sure to familiarize yourself with software components in advance and know what to look for before you make a purchase.

• I have many different types of CADs that I want to integrate together. Will the PDM software allow me to do this?

While not all PDMs are the same, there are programs that allow for the integration of multiple CADs. Find a company with a strong reputation for customer service and ask about the specific features you want.